**African Union Values Russia’s Support for African Issues, Says Chairperson**
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia – The African Union (AU) has expressed its appreciation for Russia’s support in addressing key issues affecting the continent, particularly at the United Nations. This sentiment was articulated by Mahmoud Ali Youssouf, Chairperson of the African Union Commission (AUC), during a joint press conference held on Tuesday following discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Youssouf highlighted the AU’s gratitude for Russia’s backing in expanding the financing of African peacekeeping missions. He emphasized the importance of this support in facilitating peace and stability across the continent. “The AU also appreciates Russia’s position on the reform of the UN Security Council,” Youssouf stated, underscoring the organization’s aspirations for greater African representation within this key global body. He noted the AU’s call for two permanent seats and five non-permanent seats for African nations on the Security Council.
Lavrov echoed these sentiments, affirming that Russia and the AU share a common goal of enhancing African representation in the UN Security Council. He described the current representation as historically unjust, asserting that any future expansion of the Council should primarily benefit African countries rather than Western nations, which he argued are already overrepresented.
The discussions between Lavrov and Youssouf also touched on Russia’s commitment to assist in resolving various crises across Africa, many of which stem from the continent’s colonial past. Lavrov emphasized the importance of allowing African nations to implement their own solutions to their challenges, stating, “Those who sincerely want to help Africans resolve the numerous crises… should help Africans implement African approaches to solving African problems.”
Additionally, Lavrov expressed support for the AU’s agenda regarding reparations from former colonial powers and reiterated the need to strengthen sovereignty across Africa. Both parties agreed on the significance of maintaining regular political consultations, establishing an annual format for these discussions to ensure ongoing collaboration.
The talks also explored avenues for enhancing economic and trade cooperation between Russia and African nations. Youssouf noted that the current trade turnover between Russia and Africa stands at approximately $27 billion, with optimistic projections suggesting that this figure could potentially double in the coming years.
Counterterrorism efforts, particularly in the Sahel region, were another focal point of the discussions. Youssouf expressed confidence in the potential for expanded collaboration in this area, which has been a growing concern for both the AU and Russia.
Youssouf also took the opportunity to thank Russia for its assistance in addressing public health challenges in Africa, specifically in response to recent Ebola outbreaks. He highlighted Russia’s provision of PCR tests and medical equipment as vital support for the continent’s health initiatives.
As the discussions concluded, Lavrov extended an invitation for Youssouf to participate in the upcoming third Russia-Africa Summit, scheduled to take place in Moscow in October. This summit aims to further strengthen ties between Russia and African countries across various sectors.
Lavrov’s visit to Ethiopia marks his first trip to the country since 2022 and is part of a broader tour of African nations. The discussions held in Addis Ababa reflect a growing partnership between Russia and the African Union, emphasizing mutual interests in political representation, economic cooperation, and security.
The ongoing dialogue between Russia and the AU indicates a commitment to fostering a collaborative approach to addressing the challenges faced by African nations, while also advocating for a more equitable representation of Africa on the global stage.